Page 5 of Calling His Bluff
Was it her gut instinct warning her to listen to her misgivings about this “windfall?” True, she didn’t trust anything that came too easily—especially out of the blue.
What other reason could it be since she couldn’t seem to shake the feeling that she’d walked into a trap?
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CHAPTER 3
Jack was on his second beer when Josephine walked in. Since this was one of the few places open and close to Seaside Vows, he had figured she might show up. He’d been planning on it.
She spotted him the moment she stepped through the door. He saw her hesitate and chuckled to himself.She must be hungry, he thought since she was actually debating turning around and going somewhere else—but hadn’t moved. He watched her make up her mind before heading to a back booth as if trying to get as far away from him as possible. He smiled and called the waiter over.
“What is your name?”
“Shane.”
“That woman who just came in? Could you get her a Tommy’s Margarita right away and the Dungeness crab cake appetizer?” He reached for his wallet. “The faster, especially on the drink, the better.”
Jack sipped his beer, watching her in the mirror over the bar. He saw her surprise as Shane put the Margarita in front of her, before he pointed in Jack’s direction.
Again, he saw her debating before she waved the waiter away. She ignored the drink for a few seconds, then picked it up and took a sip. Her eyes found his in the mirror before she downed half the drink.
He waited until she’d consumed the Margarita and was considering the second one he’d ordered for her before he slidoff his barstool and headed for her booth. She watched him every step of the way, her brown gaze narrowed.
As he slid into the seat across from her, she said, “I thought you were leaving.”
“I considered it,” he lied. “How are the Margaritas?”
“Fine. Thanks, but I don’t want company, especially yours,” she said, dragging her gaze away.
“How did I know you’d say that?” The waiter brought her crab cake.
She eyed it as if the man had put a curled-up rattlesnake down in front of her.
“What can I get you, sir?”
“He won’t be joining me,” Josephine said and picked up the menu. She glanced around it at him. “You haven’t also ordered my dinner already, have you?”
He shook his head. “I would never presume to do that.”
She let out a huff of a laugh as she disappeared behind the menu again, peering out only to take a bite of the crab cake.
“My name’s Shane if you have any questions about our menu,” the waiter said, looking as if not sure what to do.
“Thanks, why don’t you bring us a dozen oysters on the half shell while we’re waiting for the lady to decide?” Jack said.
The moment Shane left, Josephine tossed down the menu and glared across the table at him. “The lady has decided and I’ll tell you what you can do with your oysters. I’m not having dinner with you.” She started to call over the waiter, when Jack stopped her.
“Let’s settle this like adults.” He pulled out the deck of cards he always carried. “High card wins. I’ll even let you shuffle the deck.”
Her lips formed a straight line and her lashes lowered until her eyes were only narrow slits as he slid the box of cards across the table to her.
“You still trust your luck, don’t you?” he asked as he picked up the menu she’d dropped and pretended to peruse it. He was betting on her being unable to resist. Her luck against his. Knowing her, it was a challenge that would be hard for her to ignore.
He lowered the menu when he heard her take the cards from the box and begin to shuffle them. “As for dinner, I suggest we start with oysters.”
Josephine mugged a warning look at him as she expertly shuffled the cards. He knew once she got the deck in her hands, she wouldn’t be able to help herself. He watched the expert way she handled the cards. Like him, she felt at home with a deck of cards. There was something about the feel of them, as if they were old friends. You didn’t exactly trust them. Bet you were willing to trust your luck with them. They could harm you but not break your heart.
She slammed the shuffled deck down on the table between them. “Be my guest.”
